Strand feeding mechanism



Jan. 29, 1935. H. STAUB STRAND FEEDING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1934 T 1 l l- INVENTOR. flermawfiaub, BY

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 29, 1935. H, STAUB 1,989,656

STRAND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N VEN TOR. liernqan b ATTORNEY.

Jan. 29, 1935. H. STAUB STRAND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FL E- .15.

IZi SE NTOR: ficrnmn faab, 6Q

A TTORN Jan. 29, I935. TA 1,989,656

STRAND FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR: fii'awb ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STRAND FEEDING DIECHANISM Application January 18,

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in strand feeding mechanism for braiding machines or the like. 7

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a novel and improved carrier, particularly a traveling carrier, adapted to feed a strand, as of yarn, wire, etc., to various types of machines, for example, braiders, winders, twisters, stranding machines and circular looms, the carrier having one or more actuating members controlled by the strand fed to the machine, and operable by centrifugal force during movement of the carrier and movable from a first position to a second position for actuating mechanism, such as the stopping mechanism of the machine, when a predetermined tension condition on said strand obtains. Specifically, one of the actuating members may be operative when the strand bream, or when the tension on the strand being fed to the machine falls below a predetermined amount, to actuate the stopping mechanism of the machine; and another such actuating member may be employed to move to an operative position when, due to entanglement of the strand or for any other reason, the tension on the strand becomes excessive or exceeds a predetermined amount for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in carrier structure adapted for feeding a strand to various types of machines, a member engaged by the strand and movable with movement of the strand a predetermined distance to actuate mechanism for stopping the machine when for any reason the tension on the strand becomes excessive or exceeds a predetermined amount, the member being movable an additional distance by the strand, after the stopping mechanism has been actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve supply of strand to the machine until the latter has stopped, and thereby prevent the strand from breaking.

A further object is to provide a carrier having various features which particularly adapt the carrier for use with high speed rotary braiding machines or the like.

With these and other objects in view, which will become apparent from the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention further resides in the novel elements of construction, mechanisms, and combination of parts in cooperative relationship, as hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In order to illustrate the principles of my in- 1934, Serial No. 707,054

vention, and by way of example only, the invention is shown in the drawings as applied to a high speed rotary braiding machine. For the sake of brevity only those parts of the braiding machine necessary to an understanding of the invention are shown, the remaining parts and their manner of operation being well known in the art. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a braiding carrier embodying my invention, and illustrating the several parts in their respective operative positions occupied during the normal feeding of the yarn or other strand;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing a portion of the frame and guiding mechanism of the machine proper;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing details of certain parts of adjustable spring tensioning means employed;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one end of the yarn carrier illustrated in Fig. 1, showing certain of the parts in their operative positions when excessive yarn tension conditions obtain;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the parts in their operative positions when the yarn breaks, or when the tension normally on the yarn is released;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4, showing details of the spool retention means;

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view of an electric control circuit including a switch member for stopping the braiding machine, and showing control members for actuating the switch under predetermined yarn tension conditions;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a. plan view of a modified form of braiding carrier illustrating another feature of my invention;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the operative positions of certain parts when excessive tension is applied to the yarn;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing the positions assumed by the several operating parts when the tension on the yarn is released;

Fig. 12 is a transverse section taken on line l2-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken on line l3-13 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing a modified form of the invention.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, and referring especially to Figure 2, a reference numeral 10 designates the frame of a high speed rotary braiding machine of well known type, having an annular groove 11 therein, and supporting a plurality of roller bearings 12 at required intervals about suitable guiding mechanism. The bearings 12 are mounted on studs which rise from a flange 13, the inner periphery of which furnishes a trackway 14 which coacts with agroove 15 on thecarrier head structure for guiding the carriers.

The annular groove 11 formed in the frame It? extends around the outer face thereof and is adapted to receive and guide flanges 17 of the carrier heads. The usual flier mechanism for engaging and driving the carriers about the trackways is shown at 18, and thatportion of the to prevent outward movement a second actuatcarrier head which is engaged thereb'y'i s shown at 19.

Each carrier unit comprises a yoke or U shaped member 21 which forms a support for spindle assembly 22 and an adjustable tensioning mecha' nism 23. Thespindle 25 isdesignedto receive the usual form or core uponwhich'the strand supply 24, shown in this instance as a yarn package, is wound. The outer end of the spindle carries a ball structure a insertable in a thrust bearing or socket 26, whileits inner end 25b is adapted to fit into a centering slot 2'7, Fig. 6, formed in the carrienframe and to be retained there during deliveryof the yarn. A spring controlled pawl 28 keeps the spindle properly seated while the yarn is being unwound, and movement of the pawl (in the direction ofrthe arrow Fig. 6) releases the inner end of the spindle which is movable in an are about the outerbearing 26 until the inner end clears the adjacentframework, at which time the ball structure 25a may be slid from its socket, thereby permitting 'quick and easy removal of the spindle assembly 22 for yarn package replacement. I

The adjustable tension means shown at 23, Fig.1, comprises a shaft 30 supported by ears 31, 31, and. having a coiled spring 32-encircling the shaft or pin'BG, one end of thespring being attached'to a fiat finger orbrake member 33 loosely mounted on the shaft 30, while the other end of the spring is anchored in a slottedcollar 34 rotatably and slidably mounted on theshaft 30, the lugs 34a of the collar coacting with a lug 35, Fig. 3, extending from one of the ears 31, and retained in position thereby. Tension of the finger 33 against the yarn package 24 can be varied by sliding the collar 34along the shaft 30, against the thrust of spring 32, until the lugs 3411 are out of engagement with the lug or projection 35, turning the collar to the desired position and then reengaging the lug35 with the nearest slot formed by the lugs 34a of the collar. i

Suitable yarn guides 36, 36a are located at various'parts of the structure to guide the yarn in a desired path from the package to the delivery point. The yarn Y is drawn from the package 24 thru the guides 36 to a spring tensioned guide member 37 fixedly mounted on the carrier structure. The yarn passes around this tensioned guide and backover an actuating member or stud 38 rotatably carried by a pivotally mounted arm 39, the stud 38 being operable by centrifugal force when the, carrier. unit is rotated and movable outwardly, when the yarn breaks or when the tension thereon falls below' a predetermined amount,'into position to coact with a control member, or trip lever 50 for stopping the machine in a manner hereinafter described. From stud Y n i carried back to a yarn guide 360;

from which point it is guided to the braiding head (not shown).

A second arm 41 is pivotally mounted on the same stud with and above the arm 39, and

held in the position shown in Figure 1 against a stop or abutment by the action ofa spring 42. One end of spring 42 is anchored to the frame, while the opposite end is secured in one of the notches in the outer free end of the arm 41, whereby the tension may be regulated for different kinds or sizes of yarn. The arm 41 is preferably, altho not necessarily, provided with a pocket 43, Fig. 5, which is adapted to limit the movement of stud 38 under normal tension conditions of the yarn Y.

A lug 44 carried by the arm 41 acts as a stop ing member or trip finger 45 rotatably mounted v. on a'stud 47 secured to the carrier frame. In the In the operation of the device shown in Figures l to 3, the parts normally occupy the positions shown in Figures 1 and 2 when the sets of carriers are revolving in their respective orbits, and each thread is drawn oii? by the usual tension applied beyond the braiding point, causing each separate yarn package to rotate upon itsv own axis or spindle 22 while delivering yarn. The pressure of the finger 33 is adjusted to keep the yarn suificiently taut to retain the stud 38 on arm 39 within the pocket formation 43 of arm 41 without effectingmovement of the latter against the action of its spring 42. This is the normal feeding position and the several parts continue to cocupy these relative positions as long as the tension on the yarn Y remains substantially uniform or within a predetermined range.

Assume now that an imperfection in the form of a knot or an enlargement of the yarn is en countered, or for any other reason the yarn jams and fails to pass the various guides 36 or tensioned guide 37. Immediate y the tension on the yarn increases and this pulls the stud 38 against the arm 41 causing the latter to swing on its pivot against the action of spring 42. The lug 44 carrice. by arm 41 describes an arcuate path and moves out of engagement with the trip finger 45, permitting the finger to fly out into the path of the trip lever 50 under the influence of the centrifugal force set up in the member 45 by the high speed at which the carriers revolve, resulting in the parts moving to the position shown in Figures 4 and 7. e

Various types of mechanical tripping or clutch mechanisms operable by a control or trip mem ber, such as the member 50, are well known in the art and may be employed in connection with the invention disclosed herein for stopping the machine when abnormal yarn tension conditions occur. In the specific embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8, there is illustrated electrically controlled stopping mechanism in which movement of the control member 50 by either of the actuating members 38 and 45 will effect a change in the condition of an electrical circuit for stopping the machine. The control member 50, pivoted at 51,

- mass use i 3 *r z-nonmal-ly ma ntained in theposition shownbv ismeanscf abias nsi pring 50..a-nd mthisposition :..of-;the;- control .membenithe'switch blade 52aof a 5 *m in airrclosed circuitpositicn andcompletes the t cmagn tic'relaw or switclrzS whichcontrols. the

venergizing circuit 53 of the machine drivingpmotor. M. Thesolenoid coil 48 is bridgedacross't e .fiurrent-supply'rna-ins 53a,;53band thus the sole- ;noidplunger 55 is attracted and heldbythe sole- :noidcoil and maintains the switch'blade 49 in 'jClOSEd" positionagainst the tension-of .a contractile :spring which is;connected1at;one end to the switchhlade 4.9 andat: its otheryend tothe relay p-supportingbase 56. -When either of the. members :38 or 45 is in a-position to move the, controlmem- :ber: 50 (in; agclcckwise direction as viewed ini-Figs. :7 and 8) the switch blade 52a. istherebyrotated in the same direction; to an; open circuitqposition and thus opensthe normally-closedcircuitof the holding coil 48; of relayAQ. Deenergizationpf the holding coil causes the contractile-spring 5 1; to 'actuate the switchrblade ltl to the rightto an open circuitposition; against the stop .members; 57, thus opening the driving-motor circuit53 and stopping the machine. l/Tarious braking mechanisms known in the art, effective eitherupon opening the driving motor circuit,- or uponactuation of the relay 49, may be employed to quickly bring the -1nachine-toa stop.

The-biasingg spring 501.: returns thecontrol lever 5O- to its initial ;posit ion immediately after the -member :38 or45rhas passedrso that the motor circuit 53 may ;be reestablished, either manually or automatically, in any of the various ways known in the art. In the circuit illustrated, this may be efiected by manually closingthe switch or relay 49, against-the tension orthe -sprins'fi, by means of ;a' handle 5,8 --connecte,d tothe solenoid plunger, the electromagnetic field of thesolenoid coil-58 being sufiiciently strongto hold the. switch 49 in position after itha-s been closed, although not sufficientlystrong to actuate theswitchfrom open to closed position.

Thebraid-ing machine is equippedwith twoseprarate switch units.;52, one;f0r the upperset-of yarn carriers and one for the lower set, andpmay have individual solenoid controls, orma-y be wired --so that. eitherswitch will operate upon a com-men solenoid-control, to open the driving-motorqoircuit.

.In' the event that a yarn threadqbreaks during the feeding operation, the tension thereon-is re- ;moved and the .stud-.38 andarnr39 are no' longer under tension control, which results in their moving into the path of switch 1ever 50 due to centrifugal -.action. The positioning I of 4 the respective parts under this-condition are clearly illustrated :in Figures 5 and-8. *W-ith the tripph g of the lever 50 by the stud 38, the action upon the stop. mech- .anism is'identical with that present .when the lever is operatedby trip finger-.45.

l-In practice. it wasfound that an end of .yarn from .a package was sometimes oarriedintothe braidin machine proper; frequently resulting in .breaking other yarns .as they werebeing braided, and causing the attendant a great deal oftrouble and loss of timeto adjust themachinelbefore '70 it could againbestarted. This was caused by the momentum of the high speed machine and the continued revolutions of'the-oarrliers aftert-he ,drivingpower hadbeen. discontinued, there being sufiicient movement and-take up of thread ,to, carry the end (*Whethercaused byabreakage or 1:comprisingtheaend'of the .yarn on .thewpackage) svell. intothe braiding machine, :;bef0re: the yarn carriers came to a stop.

In order ;.to-obviate this difficulty, 'I.pro.vide .hnzextended yarn supportinglguide 60,-shown in 5 Figs- 9 to ll,z-.whichpis designed to provide a re- .xserve supply ofyarnsuficient to compensate for :the. revolutions of: the carriers; after power. is cut zofil and to. prevent the end. of the yarn frombevingdrawn into-.the machine .prior to stoppingilo of the carrier movement.

.Referring toFigure 9 it will be observed the .yarn carrier quite similar in form to that .shown. iirFigure 1, and is designedto revolve in :the :samemanner. andfeed yarn from .a yarn3l5 :package mounted on the same;type spindle .as theformshown:intherfirst figure of the draw- .ings. 1Tlie.-manner.-of.replacing the yarn. packnageis likewiseithe same, as istheadjustable --tensioned: finger 33 in contact with said package.-:2O The-improved feature lies in'the provisionof .an extended slidable rodor yarn guide fiilgthe :inner end-.ofwhich is carried by a suitable supzport; 6l.von:the yarn carrierstructure, and out- :cwardly. supported by .an extension. 62 of theyoke e frame;12l. :This guide is adapted to slide within .itssupportsandsisprovided witha stop 63 which limits its slidingmovement in either direction sofits travel. {The outer free end of the guide 1 60: lies :beyond the. support- 62..and its, outermost i330 .tipcfi l. is shaped to i receive. and retain. the yarn. 'zTheinner end of the guide abuts against, and is maintained in relative.positiontby, arspring retained arm :66 corresponding in its action to ;the.:armie1i.of the first iorm of .my.invention.335

.The;arm :66; is. pivoted at 6'7 to the carrier frame, and its end opposite. that which. abuts against .guideefiois provided with an extension 66a notched :to receive and retain :one end of-atension spring 5:68,.the. opposite end of which .isanchored to the carrier frame. By selecting. one of the several :notches in which to ,attach the free end of spring .68, varying degrees of .tension. canbe i brought ttozbeanuponv the end Ofrg-llidBiGO. iMidway'be- :tween: the pivot L6? and the outer. notched end of :artn J8S is a right angle extension'691which is :moved-into the pathof lever'50 :upon rotation of :the. lever .65 by. the. inwardssliding. movement of the rod in a manner hereinafter described.

.A: second arm 71,:corresponding ito arm 39 :hereinbefore described, is pivotedat '72 to the car- .rier frame and carries on its outer: free end a-stud .713 similarto stud 38. A projection 74 extends soutwardly'from'the. arm71 from the opposite side of the;pivoti72, and is. adapted to engage a. .33 .iSllODxlJil'l ,7-5 on the carrier frame to stop the swingof the arm inonedirection (see. Figure 11). The swing of the arm in the opposite. direction is. limited.;.by.one-side of the arm contactingwith thestop 75 (see: Figures 10 and 11).

.When the yarn packages .are prepared or wound for this type of braider, the end of the yarn is firstsecured to the rform '20 upon whichit is ewoundb as at'YLFigure: 10. .In the. operation of (this device, the several operating parts are set, :and each yarn. carrier threaded as shown in Fig- .ure .9. The end of pivoted armfGG'is set in con- ..tactzwith the. end. ofyarn guide 60, and will be held in place due to the. tension of spring 68 upon the opposite end of. the arm," the stoprfiS limiting the outward. movement of :the: guide. "The .yarn :is properly tensioned between the yarn pack- ,;age-1an d,the tensionguideL37 and carried over thetip -;6l,a thence about theistud 73 and into the-braiding (machine .proper. .:As long as the parts are in the relative positions shown in this" figure, the carriers will revolve without interfering with the lever 50.

In this position the yarn plays out to the braiding point, and barring breakage or other defect will so continue until the end of the yarn form illustrated set.

.and that a reserve supply of yarn extending from guide 36 and about the end 64 of the guide is free tobe fed to the braider before the inward travelof the yarn guide is stopped. This reserve is suflicient to supply yarn to the braider during the period of time between the actuation of the lever .50 and stopping of the machine, and compensates for the time required to overcome the momentum present in all high speed machines until stopped. Figure 10 illustrates the several parts in their respective positions when the end of the yarn on theqpackage is reached,

and shows an end of yarn still available for attaching to the free end of a full package for continued operation. It will be understood that a reserve supply of yarn will also beavailable if the yarn breaks at any pointbetween the yarn package and the guide 60. I

'When the new yarn supply is in place upon the spindle 22, the arm 60 is returned by the operator to the position shown in Figure 9, the thread passed is about the tip end 64 and any excess slack taken up by turning the yarn package until the yarn is taut. 'Ilie yarn carrier is now ready to again start operating and deliver yarn to the braiding machine.

In case the yarn should break, the tension .thereon slackens at once and the centrifugal force of the carrier throws the stud end of arm 71, outwardly until the lug 74 rests against stop 75 as shown in Figure 10. In this position the stud 73 is in line with the lever 50, and moves it to actuate the stop mechanism of the ma- .chine.

While I have described and illustrated the yarn package as being held in a horizontal position within its carrier, it will be understood that the device will operate in various other positions, and that it is not necessary to have the extended thread support of the second form of the invention parallel to the axis of the yarn package.

In the practical application of my device this thread support preferably is arranged at right angles to the axis of the package in the lower set of carriers and functions just as well as the in connection with the upper Fig. 14 is a view ofa modification of the carrier of Figs. 9 to 13; in the modified form, the inner end of the slidable yarn guide 60a is in contact with one end of an arm or latch lever pivotally mountedat 81 on the carrier frame,

theyarn guide 60a being held in place, under normal yarn tension conditions, by means of the tension of a spring 82 having one end anchored to the carrier frame and its free end engaging in one of the several notches of a stud 83 extending from lever 80.

The other-end of lever 80 has a lug 84 extending upwardly therefrom, and normally locksin inoperative posithe carrier frame.

tion a centrifugal trip member 35 pivotedly mounted at 86 on the carrier frame. When the tension'on the yarn exceeds a predetermined amount, the yarn guide 6011 is caused by the yarn Y to slide inwardly, rotating lever 80 in a counterclockwise direction until lug 84 releases the centrifugal member which is then rotated in aclockwise direction by centrifugal force into position to coact with the control member 59 for stopping the machine in the manner above described. ihe limit of travel of the member 85 in one direction is determined by a portion 87 thereof adapted to abut a web portion 88 of the carrier frame, and in its operative position the outward travel of member 85 is determined by its engagement with a stud 89 on the carrier frame. A second triplever 90, pivotedly mounted at 91 on the carrier frame, has at its free end a stud 92 about which the yarn passes, the normal tension on the yarn retaining the member in inactive position against a stop-pin 94 secured to In the event that the yarn breaks, or that the tension thereon is released,

the member-'92 will move outwardly, under the I influence of centrifugal force, into a position of engagement with the trip member 50 to stop the machine, the outward limit of travel of centrifugal member 90 being determined by a projection 93 thereon which engages the stop pin 9c.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, bywhich I obtain the above results, can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention herein claimed.

I claim:

1. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising a first member and a second member each independently operable by centrifugal force and each movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine, said members respectively operating when said strand breaks and when the tension on the strand exceeds a predetermined amount.

. 2. In a braiding machine or the like having a control member for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine, carrier structure for feeding a strand to the machine, said carrier structure having means controlled by said strand comprising a first member and a second member each independently operable by centrifugal force and selectively movable from a first position to a second position toengage said control member for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine when the tension on saidstrand is greater or less than a predetermined range of values.

3. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine and having control means comprising a member operable by centrifugal force and movable from' a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine when the tension on the strand varies from a predetermined range of values, and means comprising a yarn guide on said centrifugal member engaged by the strand fed fro-m said supply for retaining the centrifugal member in said first position under normal tension conditions' on said strand." 7

4.. In a braiding machine or the'like, carrier disclosed and hereinafter structure carrying a supply" of strand for the movable froma firstpbSitibn to a second position for actuating the'stopping mechanism-oi the machine; and a second member controlled by the strand fed from said supply for retaining the first named member in said first position during normal. tension'conditions on said strand and for releasing the first named member'when structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising" a first member operable by centrifugal force and movablefrom' a first position to a second position for actuating the stoppingmechanism of the machine, a second member engaging said centrifugal member for normally retaining the latter in said first position, and a third member controlled by said strand for actuating said second member thereby to release the centrifugal member when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount.

6. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising a member operable by centrifugal force and movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine, spring biased means normally engaging the centrifugal member for retaining the same in said first position, and means actuated by said strand for moving said spring biased means to another position to release said centrifugal member when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount.

7. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising a member operable by centrifugal force and movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine, a rotatable lever for engaging the centrifugal member to lock the same in said first position, means for biasing said lever in its locking position, and means operable by said strand for actuating said lever to release said centrifugal member when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount.

8. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising a rotatable lever operable by centrifugal force and movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine when the tension on said strand falls below a predetermined amount, said lever having means thereon engaged by said strand for holding the lever in inactive position when normal strand tension conditions obtain.

9. In a braiding machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the machine, and means controlled by the strand fed from said supply comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted members each independently operable by centrifugal force and selectively movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the stopping mechanism of the machine when the tension on said strand is greater or less than a predetermined rangepf: values; and a third member copivotally mounted'with one of I said centrifugal members? and coacting with said centrifugal membersfor retaining'thelatter in said first position when normal strand tension conditions obtain.

10. Ina braiding'machine or the like, carrier structure carrying a supply of strand for the'ma chine, and means controlled by the strand'fed from said supply comprising a first member operable by centrifugal force andmovablefroma first position to-a second position for actuating. the stopping mechanism of the machinewhen the tension on said strand exceeds'a predetermined".

' amount, a second member operable by centrifugal force'and movable from a first position to a-sec ond position-for actuating the stopping mocha nism of the machine when the tension onsaidr. strand fallsbelow a'predeterminedamount, anda third member copivotally mounted with said second member and coacting with said centrifugal members for normally retaining said members in their said first position.

11. Means for feeding a strand from a source of supply to a machine, mechanism for stopping the machine, and means including a member engaged by said strand and movable thereby a predetermined distance to actuate said mechanism for stopping the machine when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount, said member being movable an additional distance by said strand, after the stopping mechanism is actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve supply of strand to the machine until the latter has stopped.

12. Means for feeding a strand from a source of supply to a machine, mechanism for stopping the machine, and means including a slidable member engaged by said strand and adapted to be slid by the strand a predetermined distance to actuate said mechanism for stopping the machine when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount, said slidable member being slidably movable an additional distance by said strand, after the stopping mechanism is actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve supply of strand to the machine until the latter has stopped.

13. Means for feeding a strand from a source of supply to a machine, mechanism for stopping the machine, and means including a slidable rod-like member engaged at one end by said strand and slidably movable by the strand a predetermined distance to cause the other end of the member to actuate said mechanism for stopping the machine when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount, said rod-like member being slidably movable an additional distance by said strand, after the stopping mechanism is actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve supply of strand to the machine until the latter has stopped.

14. Carrier structure for feeding a strand from a source of supply to a machine, mechanism for stopping the machine, and means including a slidable rod-like member having strand guide means at one end thereof engaged by said strand and slidably movable by the strand a predetermined distance to cause the other end of the member to actuate said mechanism for stopping the machine when the tension on said strand exceeds a predetermined amount, said rod-like member being slidably movable an additional distance by said strand, after the stopping mechanism is actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve strand falls below a predetermined amount, said means including a second member engaged by said strand and movable thereby agpredetermined distance to actuate said stopping mechanism, when the tension on said strand'exoeeds a predetermined amount, said second member being movable an additional distanfcje by said strand, after the stopping mechanism is thus actuated, in a direction to feed a reserve supply of strand to themachine until the; latter has stopped.

16, In a braiding machine or the like, carrier st-ruoture'carrying a supply of strand for the machine and having control means comprising a member operable by centrifugal force and m ovablefrom a first position to a secondfposition for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine, and means including asecond member controlled by the strand fed from said supply for retaining the first named memijer in said first position during normal tension conditions on said strand and for releasing the'first named member when the tension on said stl and exceeds a predetermined amount, said second member being operable by centrifugal force and movable from a first position to a second position for actuating the stopping mechanism of the machine when the tension on said strand falls below a pretermined 

